You can tell which civic election candidates take union and developer contributions by looking at their campaign materials. They have expensive glossy brochures, impressive lawn signs, and large full-colour advertisements. There are other candidates, me among them, who will not take contributions from such sources because of the possibility or perception of conflict of interest. Our campaigns are much plainer, because they are funded by candidates themselves or contributions from family, friends or grassroots neighbourhood groups. My campaign costs so far are a little under $8000, and I have chosen this time to pay this amount from my own pocket.

Ask yourself whether a councillor who has taken a campaign contribution from a developer can make a fair decision about a project from that developer when it comes before council.Ask yourself whether a councillor who has taken a campaign contribution from CUPE can fairly instruct city management in negotiating a collective agreement with that same union. Money talks. My money says this: I am committed to the City, to the community at large and to the taxpayers who fund the City’s operating costs.